No Santa Cruz-specific ordinance directly regulates aircraft noise in flight; such regulation is federally preempted by the FAA, and California PUC 21669 sets airport noise standards administered by Caltrans.
The City of Santa Cruz Municipal Code Chapter 9.36 governs ground-based offensive noise and does not regulate aircraft overflight noise. Regulation of aircraft in flight is preempted by federal law under the Federal Aviation Act and the Noise Control Act, leaving the FAA with exclusive control over flight operations and aircraft noise emissions. At the state level, California Public Utilities Code 21669 directs the California Department of Transportation (Division of Aeronautics) to adopt noise standards governing the operation of aircraft and aircraft engines for state-permitted airports, 'to an extent not prohibited by federal law,' based on the level of noise acceptable to a reasonable person residing near the airport. Local jurisdictions retain limited authority only as airport proprietors. Accordingly, aircraft noise complaints in Santa Cruz are addressed through the FAA and Caltrans Aeronautics, not the city noise ordinance.
Not addressed by city ordinance; enforcement of aircraft noise standards rests with the FAA and, for state-permitted airports, the California Department of Transportation under PUC 21669.
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